2007 Dark Tobacco Seed Source X Variety Trial

Andy Bailey

Seed lots of Narrowleaf Madole, KY 171, and KT D4LC were obtained from each
of the three seed companies marketing dark tobacco seed in Kentucky and
Tennessee (Rickard, Workman, and Newton). These varieties represent over
60% of the dark tobacco grown in 2006. All seed sources were screened for
low nornicotine conversion. Media source used was Premier Pro-Mix w/
Biofungicide. Standard Speedling (288 cell) float trays were filled with
media using a standard gravity-fed media box. Seed from each source and
variety were sown into three trays (3 replications) using an ABC Quick
Seederä.
All seed were sown on March 16, 2007 and trays were completely randomized
and floated on a standard float bed in a typical poly-covered greenhouse at
UKREC in Princeton, KY. Cal Mag (15-5-15) water-soluble fertilizer was
applied to the float bed water on March 30, 2006 to achieve a nitrogen level
of 100 ppm N. Temperatures were maintained in a range of 55 to 90 degrees
F. Percent germination and percentage of plants exhibiting symptoms of
spiral rooting were measured at 14 and 21 days after seeding (March 30 and
April 6). Data analysis indicated that germination and spiral rooting were
affected more by variety than by seed source in 2007. For further
information, please contact Andy Bailey at:
abailey@uky.edu

Table
1. Effect of seed source and
variety on germination and spiral rooting at 14 days after seeding*.

Seed Source

Variety

% Germination

% Spiral Rooting

Rickard

Narrowleaf Madole

90.9

10.3

Rickard

KY 171

96.0

0.6

Rickard

KT D4LC

93.3

2.8

Workman

Narrowleaf Madole

92.2

4.6

Workman

KY 171

93.4

1.4

Workman

KT D4LC

94.3

2.4

Newton

Narrowleaf Madole

93.9

8.7

Newton

KY 171

95.9

2.5

Newton

KT D4LC

92.0

3.8

LSD0.05

2.6

3.5

Table 2. Effect of seed source and variety on
spiral rooting at 21 days after seeding*.

Seed Source

Variety

% Spiral Rooting

Rickard

Narrowleaf Madole

6.4

Rickard

KY 171

0.5

Rickard

KT D4LC

1.8

Workman

Narrowleaf Madole

4.2

Workman

KY 171

0.7

Workman

KT D4LC

1.4

Newton

Narrowleaf Madole

5.7

Newton

KY 171

1.5

Newton

KT D4LC

1.1

LSD0.05

2.6

*In all tables,
values within a column that differ by the LSD value shown for that column
are significantly different at the 95% confidence level.